Fish tank for snake enclosure.

[gpoleweski]

Ok, a few question, I'm moving my spotted from a click clack into a bigger enclosure tomorrw and just curious about a few things....Mainly is it suitable for a snake...that fish thank that is.

It's the right length and height, but would it loose too much heat?
Also there won't be any vents on the enclosure...Will this be a problem as I've seen most snake enclosures with vents on either side. If I do need vents, is there a simple way of implementing them on the fish tank.
And lastly...Silicon sealant(sp?) on the fish tank it runs along the inside edges of the tank and was just wondering if this stuff would harm the snake in any way? Or do reptile enclosures have the same?

I know I could just buy a simple reptile enclosure...But...it'd be good to put the tank to good use.

 

[Teamsherman]

Dont use the tank.

You are in parramatta yeah? Coming up to winter now it will use too much power trying to keep the temp up to the desired temp on your thermostat. Easier to invest in a cheap wooden enclosure i reckon. Keep the tank for some cool cichlids or something like that.

 

[Cabotinage]

vents usually help for air circulation and well air.

 

[moosenoose]

I'm with Sherms on this one. However, sometimes I reckon heat-loss can be an advantage. You can sometimes have too much heat, an even heat, without much of a temp gradient. Glass eliminates this problem, it can give you that gradient. You have to weigh up the cost I guess, more power consumption with a smaller, less insulated tank, or a happier animal in a glass enclosure It can be done, but if you have a vast quantity of animals, you're gonna pay for it :lol:

 

[gpoleweski]

Nah just the one snake. I was also thinking of putting a 60W globe over the hot side if it does get a bit too cool.

 

[eamonn]

Ill be keeping my spotted in a small fish tank with just a heat mat and maybe a light if it gets a bit cold. But my spotted's sound a little older than yours.

 

[DA_GRIZ]

i've kept spotteds in fish tanks before and they where fine ust keep the heat up on them and make sure thy can;t get out. you could even line the insides with foam to get them heat in abit better

 

[gpoleweski]

Ah sweet, was just about to ask for some insulating ideas. And my spotted's just over a year.

 

[moosenoose]

:lol: so I guess the answer is yes

 

[daniel1234]

I wouldn't do it if you don't have the tank yet. It cost about the same to set up a wooden enlosure. I have a hatchy in a (give away) 2ft tank but you should probably have a wooden top both for the electrics, a vent and to make it more secure. My spotted climbs on the lamp and could excape from a glass top. Although at a year old yours is proberbly a fair size any way. Also use a themostat. 60watts works for me on thermostat. My older spotted is in a wooden enclosure

 

[gpoleweski]

I've already sterilised the tank ready for tomrrow. And I've got the thermostat on the heatmat. I'll just be putting the other lightly overhead incase it gets too chilly, I'll be watching it carefully with the thermometer as the thermostat only works for heatmats.

 

[Troyster]

I keep both my Murrays in glass enclosures using a heat mat and a basking light and dont have a problem with temps.
I think the best way is to maintain a nice warm basking area with a hide near by.Then down the other end it tends to be the ambient room temp which is perfect for providing the thermal gradient.Even if the cool end temp is a little low as long as you have a nice warm basking spot it gives the snake the choice of where it wants to be temp wise where this can be hard to achieve in timber enclosures as they hold the heat alot more.

What size tank is it you plan on using?
I use a 40watt heat bulb and a 28x28cm heat mat to maintain my temps in a 3 foot tank so a 60watt bulb may be to big depending on tank size

 

[gpoleweski]

I can't remember off the top of my head, but it's about 2ft wide so, yeah, 60w will be too much so I'll try a 40w with it and see how it goes.

Thanks for all the advice, helping me heaps.